As reported by the Jamaican newspaper The Gleaner, Robbie Shakespeare, the legendary bassist of the historic duo Sly & Robbie has passed away during the day today. The bassist had been ill for some time and underwent kidney-related surgery.
In july last year, held the position 17 in the list of 'Los 50 best bassists of all time ’, compiled by the prestigious Rolling Stone magazine.
“Robbie's loss will be felt severely by the industry on the island and abroad. My condolences to those he leaves behind”, Olivia said “Babsy” Grange, Minister of Entertainment and Culture, in a statement sent to the Jamaica Observer newspaper.
Throughout the decade of 1980, Sly and Robbie worked with some of the biggest and brightest names in pop. Among them, Grace Jones, Joe Cocker, Gwen Guthrie and rapper KRS 1.
His patented sound ensured widespread interest in Jamaican music after Bob Marley's death in 1981. In fact, were the driving force behind Black Uhuru, a Waterhouse group marketed by Island Records, the company that helped spread Marley's music internationally.
The talented and outstanding bassist lived abroad and was hospitalized in Florida..
Sources: The Gleaner / Jamaica Observer
